Imagesource: John T. Kennedy

After planning, designing, soldering, programming, and debugging your dream machine for weeks and months, the end result is a gleaming blue PCB that you handle with the utmost care, hoping not to cause a cold solder joint.

Heartbreaking. 😢

So how about a suitable case for that masterpiece? And what if there's an option that a) matches the era of your retro creation, and b) won't break the bank? Sounds enticing?

John Kennedy, aka @JohnKennedyEsq, has taken all the hassle off our shoulders. His retro-style terminal, FT1, is not just a beauty but also versatile. It's designed to accommodate virtually any custom project that can be connected to a keyboard and monitor. Along with a Raspberry Pi, an affordable LCD screen, and a sturdy mechanical keyboard, all you need is someone skilled with a laser cutter to shape a few acrylic sheets and some knack for assembling everything together with hot glue.

If the latter points aren't deal-breakers, then there's nothing stopping you from diving into this DIY adventure. The outcome is genuinely impressive, though it might not lure the younger generation away from their mobile screens. But: Who cares? 🤷‍♂️